Explosion, House Fire In Shaler Under Investigation

SHALER (KDKA) --- An explosion early Tuesday morning started a fire at an abandoned home in Shaler Township.

Firefighters closed Saxonburg Boulevard at Middle Road after responding to the scene in the 1000 block shortly after 1 a.m.

A neighbor called 911 to report hearing an explosion and then saw the fire. When crews arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames.

Shaler Villa Volunteer Fire Department Chief Anthony Ferderbar said the house had been abandoned for several years.

They called in a second alarm due to the size of the fire. Being that the house is on a hill, it presented some challenges for firefighters.

"Very hard to access, couldn't get any vehicles up there. It was all hand jack and hand lines and aerial suppression," Chief Ferderbar said.

Fortunately, there are no reported injuries.

Allegheny County fire marshals will be investigating the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, Saxonburg Boulevard reopened shortly after 5 a.m.